The State of the Union is what you make of it

Most Americans don't need to be told the state of our union, especially those living from paycheck to paycheck, which accounts for about 40% of the work force.

The State of the Union for most Americans is the state of their financial health, or lack thereof.

The Founding Fathers could never have imagined the pageantry and kabuki theater that has become our political Super Bowl, and like Super Bowl LIII, this SOTU was boring and lack luster.

Stephen Colbert may have said it best: "It was like watching paint lie."

All that is required of any president is that he "shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

There is no set time, place or interval for the "information" to be given to Congress. Lyndon Johnson chose to deliver the first televised address in 1965.

Trump's speech last night could be broken down into two main parts; lies and omissions.

The lies were as expected. The truth is: North Korea is still a nuclear threat, we have just found 20 previously undiscovered nuclear sites.

America is not a net oil exporter, although we may become one by next year. Our position as the world's number one producer of oil and natural gas began in 2012, under President Obama.

Our economy launched into its upward trajectory on March 9, 2009, under President Obama. January, 2019 marked the 100th consecutive month of economic expansion and job growth (Trump's only been president for 24 of those 100 months).

Thank you, President Trump for not screwing up our recovery.

The biggest lies, of course are about the so-called "crisis" at the southern border, caravans of terrorists, human trafficking and the value of a wall to keep Chicagoans safe.

El Paso, TX was the 3rd safest city in America over 500,000 population BEFORE the wall went up in 2008. Crime actually rose briefly AFTER the wall was completed.

Any president's speeches should be taken in the context of that president's body of work.

Trump talked about some sort of vague partisanship last night, but he spent an informal luncheon with reporters yesterday afternoon bashing Chuck Schumer, Joe Biden, Ralph Northam and even John McCain, who defied Trump on the Obamacare vote.

Donald Trump does not know the meaning of the word compromise and to quote him, "That I can tell you."

The omissions from the speech were also as expected. No one thought he was going to declare a national emergency last night, although he may at any time.

Any emergency is like a fire. It's something you report immediately, not threaten to do for months.

Trump had already taken responsibility for the upcoming 35-day shut down from the Oval Office back in December. He could have apologized to all the federal workers affected, their families and their communities and promised to do better by them.

That could be the election right there. Again, to quote the man, "We'll see what happens."

The most serious, formidable and imminent danger faced by Americans is from a planet that is quickly turning hostile and toxic to human life.

Trump, like most Republicans denies the reality of climate change, often using cold weather and snow to disprove its existence.

There no way to tell if those people are too stupid to know the difference between climate and weather or if they are so deeply into the pockets of the fossil fuel industry that they're willing to lie their asses off for campaign donations.

For Republican viewers, Trump's SOTU was 80 minutes of Nirvana. For those of us plugged into reality, not so much.

The FACTS however, bear out one undeniable truth. The State of the Union is great if you're rich. Even greater if you're very rich.

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Meet The Blogger

Bob Abrams

Bob "RJ" Abrams is a political junkie, all-around malcontent and supporter of America's warriors. After a career path that took him from merchandising at rock concerts to managing rock bands to a 27-year stint in the pits of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, he's seen our nation from up and down.
As Regional Coordinator of the Warriors' Watch Riders (a motorcycle support group for the military and their families) Bob plays an active role in our nation's support of America's warriors and their families.
Send comments and/or suggestions to bob@bobabrams.net